| Title: | J. A Smyth, Ontario to B. M. Smyth, Co Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2766 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/38 |
| Year | 1896 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Bella M. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410036 |
| Date | 10/12/1896 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 985 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Miss Bella M Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamp torn off] [Stamped] [---?] [Back of envelope] [Written across top] Arrived December 25th 1896 Xmas 1896 [Page 1] Xmas 1896 Essex Dec 10 96 Dear Parents, Brothers & Sisters In reply to your letter which I received last week I am rather sorry to hear of that [supposed?] murder and more so when connected with protestants. I have been reading over the proceedings which took place at the inquest and I would be inclined to believe that some foul play was used which resulted in the fall down stairs. However they [the?] prisoners are guilty they should be punished and if they are not guilty it is quite probable they shall be set at liberty. I expect by this time that you know about McFarlands arrival from Canada He left here two weeks ago to-morrow [tomorrow?]. Aunt was down in St. Thomas at that time and he came there to see Willie [McIllwaine?] before he went home. He would have come up to see me "he said" but he had time and I suppose he did not know where I was. and was telling me that he said he would go up to see you folks all. I would have liked to see him. He came out the same year as I did [first?] [time?]. so I think you will see him and perhaps get some candain [canadian?] [news?] [Page 2] That girl that W [William?] Huston got is the one he was going with when I was home. I am sure Eliza Hay would not be very pleased. Well that girl will likely thing [think?] it very strange comming [coming?] into a neighbourhood were [where?] half the people do not speak to each other. I am sure you have some fun with W [Willie?] John, but you should not got [go?] too far with it as perhaps it would spoil him, he is very young yet and any habit he learn (sic) now is very liable to stick to him, and I have hope that he will make a mark in this world yet if he lives. He is an [a?] very smart boy of [for?] his age therfore [therefore?] he should be properly treated neither too much one way nor the other. I often think I temptedhim too much last year when home. I was reading a book on "Education of Man" by a German writer and he bears out these ideas and also that too much care cannot be taken in the early part of a childs training. What has John [been?] doing when he has [not?] up his days? I think his education is going to be very slow unless he make [makes?] better use of his time and get [gets?] to work and learn something He must remember that sometime he will have to do for himself There are so many boys around there who have not very much to do & yet are not improving themselves & taking advantage of the opportunity [Page 3] The more education people receive the better it is for the country and crime & all other law breaking decreases. This is what Ireland wants and every one should try and raise [the?] country up to an equal with all others. It is surprising what ideas some people have about Ireland and is not a true picture of all Ireland yet it is a good description of a vast majority. Fact that one cannot deny Now there are [is?] almost as wide a difference between society here and there as between day & night in some respects. So [if?] the boys would only take [one?] advice & make the best of every opportunity it would be much better for themselves some time & no one knows what chance for following some position might occur [Page 4] If they [the?] Orangemen [meet?] on 18th Dec I hope they will have an enjoyable time I am always pleased to [hear?] of the people [having?] as sociable and pleasant time together. I have (sic) joined any of the lodges yet simply because the people I associate with dont belong & any that do belong does not got [go?] because they say they are that are of the lower class, but away from Woodslee & Essex it is quite a different thing. Windsor has a good lodge but it is not convenient for me so I just wait while I get a place pleass [pleases?] me [Page 5] School closes here on Tuesday 22nd inst and opens again on Jan 4th. We are almost over all our examination [examinations?] for this term. I think Latin & Composition this week finishes them. On Literature last week I took 67% and I sent a paper with two exam's reports in it. History was on Friday the mark will be out tomorrow I expect the marks for me will be between 60 & 75%. [My?] total percentage for so far is 60% that is average What examination is Mary trying for this year? Its too bad John has not up his days. I think I have wrote enough this time so I wish you all a happy Christmas and every one have a pleasant time I expect to spend it at Uncles I think the [they?] are not going anywhere this year & also Charley & [Annie?] I think [are?] comming [coming?] up & perhaps Tillie How is Mother (sic) health this year is it a [as?] good as usual? Has William regained good health again? We have fine weather here now just one week of frost was all we had for so far. A Happy Christmas to All Jas [James?] A Smyth Essex Canada I think I will write a letter to Mary Dunbar today I should (sic) done so long ago I almost forgot Please send me one or two violin strings [first?] [is?] good ones and sometime after ward [afterward?] send a second Put the first in a letter and it will come all right – J.A.S. [James Alexander Smyth?] P.S.I think I give value in paper if I do not in information - judging from the bulk of this letter Transcribed by Alan Houston |
